Chi Mhende Biography|Age, Background, Career, Filmography, Awards
Charlene Chiedza Kudzai Mhende, popularly known as Chi Mhende, is a Zimbabwean-born actress, director, and voice-over artist. She has earned acclaim for her diverse talents and impressive performances across various platforms.
Age
She was born on October 19, 1991. As of 2023, she is 32 years old.
Chi Mhende (Image Credit: Instagram @chi_mhende)
Background
Chi Mhende was born and raised in Zimbabwe, where she attended an all-girls Catholic school. At the young age of 7, she discovered her passion for drama and became an active member of the school’s drama club. Initially aspiring to become a doctor, she later realized her profound interest in the world of theatre, prompting her to explore a career in the performing arts.
Career
In pursuit of her dreams, Chi Mhende moved to Capetown, South Africa, in 2006, to study at AFDA, the prestigious South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance.
Her dedication to the craft led her to remarkable opportunities in Cape Town’s vibrant theatre scene, where she portrayed Lady Capulet in a 2010 Artscape production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Subsequently, she further honed her skills through Drama Therapy, collaborating with esteemed organizations like the Bonfire Improv Theatre Company and the Zakheni Arts Therapy Foundation.
Chi Mhende’s acting prowess became evident as she took on iconic roles in theatre productions, including K. Sello Duiker’s “The Quiet Violence of Dreams,” JM Coetzee’s “Waiting for the Barbarians,” Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (performed at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in July 2012), “Taming of the Shrew,” “The Comedy of Errors,” and “Richard III.”
Beyond the stage, Chi Mhende has excelled as a voice artist, lending her expressive voice to “Siyaya” and Al Jazeera’s global health series “Lifelines.”Chi Mhende has also been the station voice for 702, Cape Talk, and Fine Music Radio.
In the realm of Film and Television, she has left an indelible mark with notable credits such as “Evil in Our Midst,” “The Tunnel,” “Stokvel 6,” “Mad Dogs 3,” and “Love the One You Love,” which premiered at the 2014 Durban International Film Festival.
Her most iconic role to date is her portrayal of ‘Wandile Radebe,’ a male character, in the South African soap opera Generations, which earned her widespread recognition and admiration.
Filmography
Throughout her illustrious career, Chi Mhende has demonstrated her versatility and talent across a range of film and television projects. Some of her notable works include:
- “Generations” (TV series) as Wandile Radebe (2015)
- “The Tunnel” (Short film) as Monica (2010)
- “Love the One You Love” (Film) as Terri (2014)
- Bridging Waters” (TV Mini-Series documentary) as Narrator (2014)
- “Homeland” (TV series) as Aide (2014)
- “Scribblings” (Short film) as Viva (2014)
- “Siyaya: Come Wild with Us” (TV series documentary) as Narrator (2015)
- “Lazy Susan” (Short film) as Susan (2015)
- “Jamillah and Aladdin” (TV series) as Physician (2015)
- “Detour” (TV series) as Hospital Receptionist (2016)
- “Queen Sono” (TV series) as Miriro Dube (2020)
Awards
Chi Mhende’s exceptional talent has been recognized and celebrated through various awards and nominations, including:
- Wallbridge Award Best Shakespearean Item – National Allied Arts, Harare 2003 & 2004.
- Best Actress – AFDA 2008.
- Best Actress – Durban International Film Festival 2014.
- Promising Young Artist nominee – African Movie Academy Awards 2015
